frequently asked questions

"Can American travelers spend U.S. dollars during their time ashore in Havana, at shops, restaurants and bars?"

CruiseHavana: Unless you have a special permit to travel to Cuba (i.e., you are a journalist on assignment, etc.), the U.S. trade embargo requires that Americans spend no money whatsoever while in Cuba. The ship itself is there at the dock to provide your breakfast, lunch and dinner—as well as the cabin you'll sleep in during your two-day visit in Havana. Remember, a U.S. Customs official may well search your bags for evidence of Cuban purchases—and all those Monte Cristo cigars will be hard to explain. A final note: as there is logically no evidence of a traveler's food-and-drink consumption in Havana's restaurants or bars, nor of his or her taxi-cab rides and tour purchases, you would presumably be guided by your conscience in that regard.

CruiseHavana: Cruising is a great vacation for the formerly hotel-bound, and a perfect way to see many different islands all in the span of a single week, from the beaches of the Caymans, the Isle of Youth and Playa del Carmen to the cultural riches of Havana and the Mayan ruins of the Yucatan. In between, the shipboard life offers restful afternoons and mornings, ideal for lazing poolside as the Caribbean meanders by.

q: "Is a cruise aboard the Valtur Prima just like cruising aboard Carnival or Royal Caribbean?"

CruiseHavana: Absolutely not, in a number of ways. For one, the Valtur Prima may be modern like a Carnival ship (the Valtur Prima was completely rebuilt in 1994), but it's much smaller than today's megaships. It offers a friendlier atmosphere aboard, where you don't get lost in the crowd, and have a chance to meet both your fellow passengers and the extremely friendly crew - a mix of Italian officers and guest relations staff, and Cuban bartenders, waiters and cabin stewards. The ship is different from the norm in other ways too: because most passengers on the Valtur Prima are European, the entertainment by the pool and in the lounges is decidedly Italian in nature, and the ambience throughout is European. A trip aboard the Valtur Prima is like spending time abroad.

q: "How do the cabins on this ship compare?"

CruiseHavana: The cabins are one of the Valtur Prima's prime selling points: each is equipped with a TV (with one channel featuring good American movies), minibar, and spacious bathroom. Bathrooms in particular are worthy of note, with a marble washbasin, a huge tub, toilet and bidet. Forty-one suites aboard the ship feature jacuzzi tubs, and come highly recommended. Most cabins feature outside views, and nine suites feature private balconies - another huge plus.

q: "How do I get to the ship? What will my first day be like?"

CruiseHavana: The first day is truly one of anticipation - you are almost there, days away from Havana. When you land in Jamaica, patiently make your way through immigration and customs (depending on arrival traffic, this can take a while), then take a cab to the Montego Bay Pier ($15). In the very near future, the cruise line will arrange for transportation from the airport, making the cab ride unnecessary. In addition to the Americans coming aboard in Jamaica, the Valtur Prima also carries Italian and German travelers, who board the ship in either Cuba or Mexico. So if the ship feels a little empty when you arrive, just realize that all the Europeans came aboard before you, and instead of settling into their cabins, they are off enjoying Jamaica. Remember, the ship doesn't depart Jamaica on the first day until 6:30 p.m., so if you don't want to hang around aboard, feel free to wander ashore for a few hours if you have time: take a cab to town or to the Margeuritaville Bar, a favorite of the area.

q: "What about money matters? It's an Italian ship, visiting foreign ports - how do I pay?"

CruiseHavana: Aboard the Valtur Prima, everything is cash-less. When you board, you are provided with a special ID/payment card, which is used for all bar purchases. When you leave at the end of your cruise, just pay your bill by cash or credit card. Before going ashore, you can take out a cash advance on a credit card at the reception desk. When visiting the islands, U.S. dollars will always work, whether in Jamaica, Mexico or Cuba. In Jamaica and Cuba, you will receive change in U.S. dollars, but in Mexico, be prepared to get your change back in pesos (you can convert peso bills, but not peso coins, back to U.S. dollars when you return to America).

q: "What do I need money for aboard the ship - what isn't covered by my cruise fare?"

CruiseHavana: Drinks cost extra, but they're inexpensive (around $3 per beer, $4 for mixed drinks). One curiosity: unlike aboard an American ship, this Italian vessel charges for bottled water at the pool ($2), and you have to pay for your coffee at the bar, except during breakfast and afternoon tea. YouÕll also have to pay extra, of course, for shopping and gambling.

q: "What about tipping?"

CruiseHavana: As your order countless drinks, you will be automatically charged a 10 percent gratuity as part of the bill. In addition, as any longtime cruiser knows, it is customary to tip certain shipboard staff in cash on the last day of the cruise (you will be provided with special tipping envelopes on the last night for this purpose). The suggested rates aboard the Valtur Prima are: $14/person for your cabin steward; $21/person for your restaurant waiter; and $7/person for your maitre d' and his assistant.

q: "What kind of food is served aboard?"

CruiseHavana: You will be offered more food aboard the Valtur Prima than you are capable of eating. CruiseHavana suggests taking your breakfasts and lunch in the Giardino Cafe buffet area. If the weather's nice, eat outside by the pool. During lunch, free beer, soda and water is served in the Giardino . . . so chug up. If you're feeling more formal, a sit-down lunch is offered in the Grand' Italia dining room, with wine. Return there for dinner, to enjoy a full seven-course meal. At dinner, the maitre d' makes an effort to seat Americans with Americans, and Europeans with Europeans. If you're a couple, be prepared to eat with others - there are no tables for two.

q: "What is the smoking policy aboard the Valtur Prima?"

CruiseHavana: This is an Italian ship - which means, there is a great deal of smoking, by the pool, in the bars, in the cabins, in the hallways. But don't fear, there are designated no-smoking areas in the restaurants. In terms of cigars, the ship has special cigar lounge, the Admiral's Club, and of course, there's no better place to smoke a Monte Cristo than out on deck at sunset.

q: "What clothes should I bring?"

CruiseHavana: Bring at least two sets of formal clothes for the two formal dinners (dresses for women, jackets for men - no ties necessary). Cabin staff will put a daily program in your cabin each day explaining the dinner dress code. Besides the occasional evening wear, dress throughout the ship is casual. Actually, at the pool, dress is extremely casual, as the European female clientele has no qualms about going topless.

q: "What other necessities should I definitely bring?"

CruiseHavana: Number one: powerful sunscreen. Also, be sure to pack any medications that you will require for the week - full-service pharmacies are somewhat limited along the route. And of course, a camera is a vital necessity: incredible pictures are one thing you are legally allowed to bring back from your trip to Cuba.

q: "How will I keep up with the news when I'm gone?"

CruiseHavana: At present, the cabin TV's have no CNN, only a channel featuring regularly updated news headlines. In addition, the ship provides a daily news update in English to your cabin. And when you visit the Caymans, Jamaica and Mexico, local newsstands offer English language newspapers.

q: "Can I call the states when I'm on my cruise?"

CruiseHavana: Absolutely. Each cabin is equipped with a phone. The charge to call from sea is $9.50 per minute though, so talk quickly. An easy way to keep in touch is to visit the Cable & Wireless Internet Station found in Georgetown, Grand Cayman, which offers an extremely inexpensive way to check your messages, and send out a few "Wish You Were Here" missives.

q: "How do I know what to do when I go ashore?"

CruiseHavana: We always recommend that you plan ahead, particularly when it comes to Havana. The ship library has an extensive collection of guide books, but CruiseHavana recommends you buy your own guide to Cuba, so you can mark it up, study it, and bring it along with you to the streets. The cruise staff will also provide you with a listing of available shore excursions on all islands the ship visits. In addition, on the first day at sea, be sure to attend the special seminar for American travelers in the business center, which provides you with both shore information and the necessary safety instructions.

q: "What should I know about going off the ship into Havana?"

CruiseHavana: To begin, you have nothing to worry about. Don't be put off by the Customs officials, who are extremely meticulous in their search of your bags as you leave and return to the ship (unless you have anything in your bags which you don't want found - in other words, do not even think about bringing illegal substances to Cuba). Customs officials have a habit of picking out guide books from your bag and reading them, but there is nothing sinister about this. As a rule, they just happen to have a strong desire to read anything in English (some will even ask you if you have spare magazines you can give them).

When ashore, you'll find Cubans to be very friendly, and very much in search of U.S. dollars. If you are offered unwanted services, just decline. A "no" is taken very easily. Men should be forwarned that prostitution is extremely prevalent in Havana, and in all likelihood, you will be approached, or at the very least, winked at aggressively. The Old Havana district is considered extremely safe, as there are policemen on virtually every corner. Don't be put off by the heavy police presence - they're there for your protection. However, if you do find yourself walking through Havana together with a local citizen, do not be surprised if a law officer approaches your Cuban friend and asks him or her for their papers - Cuban officials try to keep tourists with "official" tour guides, not local residents.

In general though, beyond these basic caveats, there is very little to worry about during your Havana stay. Safe, exciting, and culturally rich, Havana is guaranteed to be by far the most memorable port-of-call in the Caribbean.

That's it from CruiseHavana For any other information,
just e-mail CruiseHavana and ask.

bon voyage!